Surface acoustic wave filter

ABSTRACT

A frequency characteristic of a surface acoustic wave filter having at least a first transducer and a second transducer is determined by a product of a frequency amplitude characteristic of the first transducer and that of the second transducer so that the electrodes of the both transducers are formed in such a way that third harmonics band in the frequency characteristic of the first transducer is shifted out that of the second transducer in order to prevent third harmonics.

The present application claims priority of Japanese patent application Nos. 62-029688, filed on Feb. 13, 1987, No. 62-115805, filed on May 14, 1987, and No. 62-288376, filed on Nov. 17, 1987.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

This invention relates to a surface acoustic wave filter (SAW filter), for example, as a delay-line or a filter and, more particularly, to a SAW filter which has an electrode structure for preventing third harmonics.

During the past few years there has been an increasing use of SAW filters for the Picture Intermediate Frequency (PIF) circuit of TV receivers, and the demand for the filter will continue to increase.

A basic structure of the SAW filter is constructed with a first transducer of an input electrode and a second transducer of an output electrode facing toward the first transducer on a piezoelectric substrate comprising lithium tantalate (LiTaO₃), lithium niobate oxide (LiNbO₃), quartz, and so on.

Each of these transducers comprises a comb-shaped electrode of a plurality of electrode fingers and a comb-shaped electrode of a plurality of electrode fingers crossing each other.

Generally, a desired frequency characteristic can be realized by differing the length of electrode fingers of the electrodes forming at least one of the first transducer and the second transducer.

The transducer with a different length of the electrode fingers is generally called an Apodized electrode (the weighted type electrode) and the other transducer with a constant length of the electrode fingers is called an unweighted electrode.

A center frequency f₀ in a passband of a frequency amplitude characteristic of the SAW filter which is constructed with the Apodized electrode and the unweighted electrode, will be determined as follows. In other words, the unweighted electrode has an electrode pitch (the distance between the approximate centers of the adjacent electrode fingers) which is defined by the center frequency f₀. On the other hand, the Apodized electrode has an electrode pitch which is defined by a frequency in the vicinity to the center frequency f₀. When both of the first and second transducers are constructed with the Apodized electrode, it is typical to arrange between the transducers a multi-strip coupler with a plurality of electrode fingers having a constant space in between.

The frequency characteristic of the conventional SAW filter using the above multi-strip coupler will be explained with reference to FIG. 15(a) and a frequency characteristic of the second transducer is shown in FIG. 15(b).

As understood from the drawings in FIG. 15(a) and (b), frequencies f₀ and 3f₀ are to be a passband (a frequency passband) of both the first and second transducers. The frequency characteristic of the SAW filter is expressed by the product of the frequency characteristic of the first transducer and that of the second transducer so that the frequency characteristic of the SAW filter is shown in FIG. 15(c).

It is clear from the FIG. 15(c) that the frequency characteristic of the SAW filter has passbands not only in the vicinity to f₀ but also in the vicinity to 3f₀ in which so-called third harmonics appears. This third harmonic causes characteristic degradation of the SAW filter, and is considered to be very important for TV receivers and so on.

In order to prevent the third harmonics, it is known to construct one of the transducers with a solid electrode. The solid electrode in this case means an unweighted electrode in which the width of the electrode and the space between the electrodes are equal in size to each other.

For manufacturing the above structure of the SAW filter, the electrode should be formed in such a way that the width of the electrode is completely equal in size to the space between the electrodes, which has the drawback of requiring a very accurate manufacturing technique, decreasing its production yield and increasing its manufacturing cost.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide an improved surface acoustic wave filter which reduces third harmonics and has an improved frequency characteristic.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the accuracy requirements of the electrode manufacturing process for the filter, and to provide a filter which can be made easily and which has no third harmonics.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a filter having no third harmonics and at low cost.

To achieve the objects of the invention, a surface acoustic wave filter according to the invention is constructed with a piezoelectric substrate, a first transducer including comb-shaped electrodes with a plurality of electrode fingers crossing each other formed on one major surface of the piezoelectric substrate, a second transducer including comb-shaped electrodes with a plurality of electrode fingers crossing each other formed on the one major surface of the piezoelectric substrate and faced to the first transducer. and a frequency amplitude characteristic of the filter having a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency amplitude characteristic of a frequency f₀. An electrode pitch of the first transducer and that of the second transducer complies with:

    f.sub.1 -f.sub.2 ≧1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2) for f.sub.1 ≧f.sub.2

    f.sub.2 -f.sub.1 ≧1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2) for f.sub.1 <f.sub.2

(wherein, Δf₁ is the frequency passband width of the first transducer, Δf₂ is the frequency passband width of the second transducer, f₁ is the frequency of the first transducer defining the electrode pitch of the first transducer, and f₂ is the frequency of the second transducer defining the electrode pitch of the second transducer.

Further, the surface acoustic wave filter of the present invention may be constructed with a piezoelectric substrate, a first transducer including comb-shaped electrodes with a plurality of electrode fingers crossing each other formed on one major surface of the piezoelectric substrate, a second transducer including comb-shaped electrodes with a plurality of electrode fingers crossing each other formed on the one major surface of the piezoelectric substrate and faces to the first transducer, and a frequency passband width is Δf₀ and a center frequency f₀ of the frequency passband width is Δf₀, wherein a frequency passband width of the first transducer is Δf₀, a center frequency of the frequency passband width Δf₀ is f₀, a frequency passband width of the second transducer is Δf₁. The frequency passband has a frequency in a vicinity to the center frequency f₁ of the frequency passband width Δf₁, the electrode pitch of the adjacent electrode fingers comprising the second transducer is defined by frequency f_(x) and the following formula is satisfied:

    4f.sub.x -f.sub.1 ≧3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2+Δf.sub.1 /2

    or

    4f.sub.x -f.sub.1 ≦3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2-Δf.sub.1 /2

Further, the surface acoustic wave filter of the present invention may be constructed with a piezoelectric substrate, a first transducer includes comb-shaped electrodes with a plurality of electrode fingers crossing each other formed on one major surface of the piezoelectric substrate, a second transducer includes comb-shaped electrodes with a plurality of electrode fingers crossing each other fomed on the one major suface of the piezoelectric substrate and faces to the first transducer, a frequency passband width Δf₀ and a center frequency f₀ of the frequency passband width Δf₀, wherein a frequency passband width of the first transducer is Δf₀, a frequency passband width of the second transducer is Δf₁, a center frequency of the frequency passband width Δf₁ is f₁, complied with:

    f.sub.1 ≦f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /6-Δf.sub.1 /6

    or

    f.sub.1 ≧f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /6-Δf.sub.1 /6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a type plan for explaining an embodiment of the SAW filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) through FIG. 2(c) are the frequency characteristic diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3(a) through FIG. 3(c) are the frequency characteristic diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a type plan for explaining another embodiment of the SAW filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 5(a) through FIG. 5(c) are the frequency characteristic diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a type plan for explaining another embodiment of the SAW filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 7(a) through FIG. 7(c) are the frequency characteristic diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8(a) through FIG. 8(c) are the frequency characteristic diagrams for explaining the effect of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a type plan for explaining another embodiment of the SAW filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a type plan for explaining another embodiment of the SAW filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 11(a) through FIG. 11(c) are the frequency characteristic diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12(a) through FIG. 12(c) are the frequency characteristic diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a type plan for explaining another embodiment of the SAW filter according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a patially enlarged plan view of the electrode for explaining another embodiment of the SAW filter according to the present invention; and

FIG. 15(a) through FIG. 15(c) are frequency characteristic diagrams for explaining a conventional SAW filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the SAW filter according to the present invention will now be explained.

FIG. 1 shows the electrode construction of an embodiment of the SAW filter. As shown in FIG. 1, a surface acoustic wave filter 101 comprises a first transducer 103 formed on a piezoelectric substrate 102 of lithium tantalate oxide (LiTaO₃), lithium niobate oxide (LiNbO₃), lithium tetraborate (Li₂ B₄ O₇) quartz and so on, a multi-strip coupler 104 by which a surface acoustic wave transmitted from the first transducer 103 is propagated, and a second transducer 105 formed symmetrically with respect to the first transducer 103 for receiving the surface acoustic wave.

A frequency amplitude characteristic of the SAW filter 101 has a frequency passband in the vicinity of a frequency f₀.

The first transducer 103 comprises an electrode of aluminum in which one end of a plurality of adjacent electrode fingers 112 is electrically coupled to a bus bar 111 to construct a comb-shaped electrode 113, with the electrode fingers 112 being crossed in that they have non-uniform lengths. This structure of the electrode fingers 112 is so called "weighted" so that the first transducer 103 is formed an Apodized electrode.

The first transducer 103 is an Apodized electrode which has a frequency passband width of Δf₁, a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency f₀, and an electrode pitch P₁ of 1/4 wavelength λ of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to a frequency f₁.

The multi-strip coupler 104 comprises an electrode of aluminum in which each of a plurality of electrode fingers 114 is arranged with a constant electrode pitch P_(M) defined by the frequency f₀.

The second transducer 105 comprises an electrode of aluminum in which one end of a plurality of adjacent fingers 116 is electrically coupled to a bus bar 115 to construct a comb-shaped electrode 117, with the electrode fingers 116 being crossed in that they have non-uniform lengths. This structure of the electrode fingers 116 is so called "weighted" so that the second transducer 105 is formmed as an Apodized electrode.

The second transducer 105 is an Apodized electrode which has a frequency passband width of Δf₂, a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency f₀, and an electric pitch P₂ of 1/4 wavelength λ of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to a frequency f₂.

The frequencies f₁ and f₂ which define the electrode pitch of the first transducer 103 and that of the second transducer 105, respectively, will now be explained.

First, a case in whih the frequencies f₁ and f₂ will be addressed have the relation of f₁ >f₂.

FIG. 2(a) shows the frequency characteristic of the first transducer 103, and FIG. 2(b) shows the frequency characteristic of the second transducer 105.

In the case of a SAW filter as shown in FIG. 1, in order to prevent the production of third harmonics, a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₀ of the first transducer 103 should not overlap with a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₀ of the second transducer 105 (defined as "condition (A₁)").

As to FIG. 2(a) regarding the first transducer 103, the passband in the vicinity of the frequency amplitude characteristics of f₀ and that of 3f₀ are symmetrical to each other about the frequency 2f₁ as the center of the symmetry. Therefore,

    Δf.sub.s1 =f.sub.1 -f.sub.0                          (1)

is taken, third harmonics of the first transducer 103 commence with:

    3f.sub.1 -(Δf/2-Δf.sub.s1)                     (2)

In the same way, as to FIG. 2(b) regarding the second transducer 105, the passbands in the vicinity of the frequency amplitude characteristic of f₀ and that of 3f₀ are symmetrical to each other about the frequency 2f₂. Therefore,

    Δf.sub.s2 =f.sub.0 -f.sub.2                          (3)

is obtained, third harmonics of the second transducer 105 end with:

    3f.sub.2 +(Δf.sub.2 /2-Δf.sub.s2)              (4)

Now, in order to satisfy the above condition (A₁), the formula (4) should be less than or equal to the formula (2) so that the formula is:

    3f.sub.2 +(Δf.sub.2 /2-Δf.sub.s2)

    ≦3f.sub.1 -(Δf.sub.1 /2-Δf.sub.s1)

The formulas (1), (2) are substituted into the above formula to obtain:

    3f.sub.2 +(Δf.sub.2 /2-f.sub.0 +f.sub.2)≦3f.sub.1 -(Δf.sub.1 /2-f.sub.1 +f.sub.0)∴f.sub.1 -f.sub.2 ≧1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2)               (5)

Next, a case in which the frequencies f₁, f₂ have the relation of f₂ <f₁ will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3(a),

    Δf.sub.s1 =f.sub.0 -f.sub.1                          (6)

is obtained, third harmonics of the first transducer 103 end with:

    3f.sub.1 +(Δf.sub.1 /2-Δf.sub.s1)              (7)

In FIG. 3(b),

    Δf.sub.s2 =f.sub.2 -f.sub.0                          (8)

is taken, third harmonics of the second transducer 105 commence with:

    3f.sub.2 -(Δf.sub.2 /2-Δf.sub.s2)              (9)

Now, in order to satisfy the condition (A₁), the formula (7) should be less than or equal to the formula (9) so that the formula is:

    3f.sub.1 +(Δf.sub.1 /2-Δf.sub.s1)≦3f.sub.2 -(Δf.sub.2 /2-Δf.sub.s2)

The formulas (6), (8) are substituted into the above formula to obtain:

    3f.sub.1 +(Δf.sub.1 /2-f.sub.0 +f.sub.1)≦3f.sub.2 -(Δf.sub.2 /2-f.sub.2 +f.sub.0)∴f.sub.2 -f.sub.1 ≧1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2)               (10)

Now, the formulas (5) and (10) are combined so that:

    f.sub.1 -f.sub.2 ≧1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2) for f.sub.1 ≧f.sub.2

    f.sub.2 -f.sub.1 ≧1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2) for f.sub.1 <f.sub.2

are obtained.

In other words, when the electrode pitches of the first and second transducers are determined respectively by the frequencies f₁ and f₂ to satisfy the formula (11), an extremly good characteristic as shown in FIG. 2(c) and FIG. 3(c) can be obtained without having the production of third harmonics in the frequency characteristic of the SAW filter 101 shown in FIG. 1.

Although the multi-strip coupler is used in the above mentioned embodiment, the invention is not restricted to this embodiment and can also be a SAW filter without the multistrip coupler.

Another embodiment of SAW filter without multi-strip coupler according to the present invention will now be explained. In the following, like reference numerals are used for like or corresponding parts in FIG. 1.

When the multi-strip coupler is not used, one of the transducers comprises the weighted type electrode and the other comprises the unweighted electrode. FIG. 4 illustrates the electrode structure of the SAW filter without the multi-strip coupler.

In FIG. 4, a surface acoustic wave filter 101 comprises a first transducer 201 formed on a piezoelectric substrate 102, a second ransducer 203 for receiving a surface acoustic wave 202 transmitted by the first transducer 201 formed on a piezoelectric substrate 102 to face the first transducer 201. The frequency amplitude characteristic of the device has a fundamental or center frequency f₀.

The first transducer 201 is a so-called unweighted electrode with a constant cross width in which the adjacent two electrode fingers are in pairs to comprise a double electrode.

The first transducer 201 has a center frequency of f₀, a frequency passband width of Δf₁, and an electrode pitch P₃ of 1/4 wave length λ of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to the center frequency f₀.

The second transducer 203 is an Apodized electrode which has a frequency passband width of Δf₂, a frequency passband in the vicinity of frequency f₀ and an electrode pitch P₄ of 1/4 wavelength λ of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to a frequency f₂.

The frequencies f₀ and f₂ which define the electrode pitch of the first transducer 201 and that of the second transducer 203 will now be addressed.

First, a case in which the frequencies f₀ and f₂ have the relation of f₀ >f₂ will be addressed.

FIG. 5(a) shows a frequency characteristic of the first transducer 201 and FIG. 5(b) shows a frequency characteristic of the second transducer 203.

In order to satisfy the condition A₁, the following formula is obtained from FIG. 5:

    3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.1 /2≧3f.sub.2 +(Δf.sub.2 /2-Δf.sub.s2)                                       (21)

wherein,

    Δf.sub.s2 =f.sub.0 -f.sub.2                          (22)

Formula (22) is substituted for formula (21) to obtain:

    3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.1 /2≧3f.sub.2 +(Δf.sub.2 /2-f.sub.0 +f.sub.2)∴f.sub.0 -f.sub.2 =1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2) (23)

Then, the same approach is applied for the relation of f₀ <f₂ so that:

    f.sub.2 -f.sub.0 ≧1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2) (24)

and the formulas (23) and (24) are combined so that:

    |f.sub.0 -f.sub.2 |=1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2) (25)

are obtained.

When f₀ in FIG. 5 is considered to correspond to f₁ in FIG. 3, f₀ =f₁ is substituted for the formula (25) which results in the same as the formula (11).

Another embodiment according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9. In the following description, like reference characters are used for like or corresponding parts in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 6, a surface acoustic wave filter 101 comprises a first transducer 301 formed on a piezoelectric substrate 102, a multi-strip coupler 302 by which a surface acoustic wave transmitted by the first transducer 301 is propogated, a second transducer 303 for receiving the surface acoustic wave formed approximately in the position of point symmetry relative to the first transducer 301.

A frequency amplitude characteristics of the SAW filter 101 has a center frequency f₀ of a passband and a frequency passband width of Δf₀.

The first transducer 301 comprises an electrode of aluminum in which one end of a plurality of electrode fingers 312 crossing each other is electrically coupled by a bus bar 311 to construct a comb-shaped electrode 313.

The crossing structure of the electrode fingers 312 is so called "weighted" so that the first transducer 301 is formed as an Apodized electrode.

The first transducer 301 is an Apodized electrode which has a frequency passband width of Δf₀, a center frequency f₀ of the frequency passband width Δf₀, and an electrode pitch P_(N) of 1/4 wavelength λ of the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₀.

The multi-strip coupler 302 comprises an electrode of aluminum in which each of a plurality of electrode fingers 314 is arranged with a constant electrode pitch P_(M) defined by the frequency f₀.

The second transducer 303 comprises an electrode of aluminum in which one end of a plurality of electrode fingers 316 crossing each other is electrically short-circuited by a bus bar 315 to construct a comb-shaped electrode 317. The crossing structure of the electrode fingers 316 is so called "weighted" so that the second transducer 303 is formed as an Apodized electrode.

The second transducer 303 is an Apodized electrode which has a frequency passband width of Δf₁, a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency amplitude characteristics of a frequency f₁, and an electrode pitch P₅ of 1/4 wavelength λ of the surface acoustic wave corresponding to a frequency f_(x).

A relation of the center frequency f₀ and the frequency passband width Δf₀ of the first transducer 301, the center frequency f₁ and the frequency passband width Δf₁ of the second transducer 303, and the frequency f_(x) defining the electrode pitch will now be explained.

A case in which the frequencies f₁ and f_(x) will first be addressed have the relation of f₁ >f_(x).

FIG. 7(a) shows a frequency characteristic of the first transducer 301 and FIG. 7(b) shows a frequency characteristic of the second transducer 303.

For the SAW filter as shown in FIG. 6, in order to prevent production of third hamonics, a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₀ of the first transducer 301 should not overlap with a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₁ of the second transducer 303 (defined as "condition (A₂)").

As to FIG. 7(a) of the first transducer 301, a passband in the vicinity of a frequency 3f₀ has a center frequency 3f₀ and a frequency passband width Δf₀ so that the frequency passband commences with:

    3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2                                (31)

As to FIG. 7(b) of the second transducer 303, a passband in the vicinity of a frequency amplitude characteristic of f₁ and that of 3f₁ are symmetrical to each other about the frequency 2f_(x) as the center of the symmetry. Therefore, the relation:

    Δf.sub.s =f.sub.1 -f.sub.x                           (32)

is obtained, third harmonics of the second transducer 303 end with:

    3f.sub.x +(Δf.sub.1 /2-Δf.sub.s)               (33)

Now, in order to satisfy the above condition (A₂), the formula (33) should be less than or equal to the formula (31) so that the formula is:

    3f.sub.x +(Δf.sub.1 /2-Δf.sub.s)≦3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2

The formula (32) is substituted into the above formula:

    3f.sub.x +(Δf.sub.1 /2-f.sub.1 +f.sub.x)≦3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2∴4f.sub.x -f.sub.1 ≦3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2-Δf.sub.1 /2                      (34)

Next, a case in which the frequency f₁ and f_(x) have the relation of f₁ <f_(x) will be explained with reference to FIG. 8.

As to FIG. 8(a) for the first transducer 301, a passband in the vicinity of the frequency amplitude characteristic 3f₀ has a center frequency 3f₀ and a frequency passband width Δf₀ so that the frequency passband ends with:

    3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2                                (35)

As to FIG. 8(b) for the second transducer 303, a passband in the vicinity of the frequency amplitude characteristic of f₁ and that of 3f₁ are symmetrical to each other about the frequency 2f_(x) as the center of the symmetry.

Therefore,

    Δf.sub.s =f.sub.x -f.sub.1                           (36)

is obtained, and third harmonics of the second transducer 303 commence with:

    3f.sub.x -(Δf.sub.1 /2-Δf.sub.s)               (37)

Now, in order to satisfy the condition (A₂), the formula (35) should be less than or equal to the formula (37) so that the formula is:

    3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2≦3f.sub.x -(Δf.sub.1 /2-Δf.sub.s)

The formula (36) is substituted into the above formula to obtain:

    3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2≦3f.sub.x -(Δf.sub.1 /2-f.sub.x +f.sub.1)∴4f.sub.x -f.sub.1 ≧3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2+Δf.sub.1 /2                                      (38)

In other words, when the first and second transducers are formed so as to satisfy the formulas (34) and (38), respectively, extremely good characteristics as shown in FIG. 7(c) and FIG. 8(c) can be obtained without producing third harmonics in the frequency characteristic of the SAW filter 101 shown in FIG. 6.

Although a multi-strip coupler is used in the above mentioned embodiments, the invention is not restricted to these embodiments and can also include a SAW filter without the multi-strip coupler.

Another embodiment of the invention comprising a SAW filter without the multi-strip coupler will now be explained with reference to FIG. 9. In the following discussion, the same reference numerals are used for identical parts in FIG. 6.

When the multi-strip coupler is not used, one of the transducers comprises the weighted type electrode and the other comprises the unweighted electrode. FIG. 9 illustrates the electrode structure of the SAW filter.

In FIG. 9, a surface acoustic wave filter 101 comprises a first transducer 401 formed on a piezoelectric substrate 102, a second transducer 402 for receiving a surface acoustic wave 202 exited from the first transducer 401 formed on piezoelectric substrate 102 to face the first transducer 401.

Hereupon, a frequency amplitude characteristic of the SAW filter 101 has a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency amplitude characteristic of a frequency f₀.

The second transducer 402 is a so-called unweighted electrode with a constant cross width in which the adjacent two electrode fingers are in pairs to be a double electrode.

The second transducer 402 has a center frequency of f₁, a frequency passband width of Δf₁, and an electrode pitch P₆ which is formed by the electrode fingers 411 of 1/4 wavelength λ of the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the center frequency f₁.

The first transducer 401 comprises an Apodized electrode which has a frequency passband width of Δf₀, a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency f₀ and an electrode pitch P₇ of 1/4 wavelength λ of the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₀.

This case coincides with a case when the following formula is applied to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8:

    f.sub.x =f.sub.1                                           (41)

The frequencies f₀ and f₁ which define the electrode pitch of the first transducer 401 and that of the second transducer 403 respectively, will now be addressed.

First, a case in which the frequencies f₀ and f₁ will be explained have the relation of f₀ >f₁.

According to FIG. 7, a passband of the frequency characteristic 3f₀ of the first transducer commences with:

    3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2                                (42)

A passband of the frequency characteristic 3f₁ of the second transducer ends with:

    3f.sub.1 +Δf.sub.1 /2                                (43)

Now, in order to satisfy the condition (A₂), the formula (43) should be less than or equal to the formula (42) so that the formula is:

    3f.sub.1 +Δf.sub.1 /2≦3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2

    Then:

    3f.sub.1 ≦3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2-Δf.sub.1 /2 (44)

is obtained.

This results in the same formula as when the formula (35) is substituted into the formula (34).

The same approach can be applied to the relation of f₀ <f₁ so that

    3f.sub.1 ≧3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2+Δf.sub.1 /2 (45)

is obtained. This results in the same formula as when the formula (41) is substituted into the formula (38).

Another embodiment according to the invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. In the following discussion, the same reference characters are used for identical parts in FIG. 6.

The SAW filter shown in FIG. 10 has a structure modified from the second transducer shown in FIG. 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a frequency amplitude chgaracteristic of the SAW filter 101 has a center frequency f₀ of a passband and a frequency passband width Δf₀.

In FIG. 10, the second transducer 501 comprises an electrode of aluminum in which one end of a plurality of electrode fingers 512 crossing each other is electrically coupled by a bus bar 511 to construct a comb-shaped electrode 513. The crossing structure of the electrode fingers 512 is so called "weighted" so that the second transducer 501 is formed as an Apodized electrode.

This second transducer 501 is an Apodized electrode which has a frequency passband width of Δf₁, a center frequency passband f₁ of the frequency passband width Δf₁, and an electrode pitch P₈ of the adjacent electrode fingers 512 of the about 1/4 wavelength λ of the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₁.

The relationship of a center frequency f₀ and a frequency passband width of Δf₀ of the first transducer 301, and the center frequency f₁ and the frequency poassband width Δf₁ of the second transducer 501 will now be described.

First, a case in which the frequencies f₀ and f₁ have the relation of f₁ <f₀ will be explained.

FIG. 11(a) shows a frequency characteristic of the first transducer 301 and FIG. 11(b) shows a frequency characteristic of the second transducer 501.

In the case of the SAW filter shown in FIG. 10, in order to prevent the production of third hamonics, a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₀ of the first transducer 301 should not overlap with a frequency passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₁ of the second transducer 501 in the same way as FIG. 6 (defined in "condition (A₂)").

As to FIG. 11(a) for the first transducer 301, a passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₀ has a center frequency 3f₀ and a frequency passband width Δf₀ so that a frequency passband commences with:

    3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2                                (51)

As to FIG. 11(b) for the second transducer 501, a passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₁ has a center frequency 3f₁ and a frequency passband width Δf₁ so that a frequency passband ends with:

    3f.sub.1 +Δf.sub.1 /2                                (52)

Now, in order to satisfy the condition (A₂), the formula (52) should be less than or equal to the formula (51) so that the formula is:

    3f.sub.1 +Δf.sub.1 /2≦3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2

    Then:

    f.sub.1 ≦f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /6-Δf.sub.1 /6 (53)

is obtained.

Next, a case in which the frequencies f₀ and f₁ have the relation of f₁ >f₀ will be explained with reference to FIG. 12.

As to FIG. 12(a) for the first transducer 301, a passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₀ has a center frequency 3f₀ and the frequency passband width Δf₀ so that a frequency passband ends with:

    3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2                                (54)

As to FIG. 12(b) for the second transducer 501, a passband in the vicinity of the frequency 3f₁ has a center frequency 3f₁ and a frequency passband width Δf₁ so that a frequency passband commences with:

    3f.sub.1 -Δf.sub.1 /2                                (55)

Now, in order to satisfy the condition (A₂), the formula (54) should be less than or equal to the formula (55) so that the formula is:

    3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2≦3f.sub.1 -3f.sub.1 /2

    Then:

    f.sub.1 ≧f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /6+Δf.sub.1 /6 (56)

is obtained.

In other words, when the first and second transducers are formed so as to satisfy the formulas (53) and (56), respectively, extremely good characteristics as shown FIG. 11(c) and FIG. 12(c) can be obtained without producing third harmonics in the frequency characteristics of the SAW filter 101 shown in FIG. 10.

Although the multi-strip coupler is used in the above mentioned embodiment, the invention is not restricted to the embodiment and can also be a SAW filter without the multi-strip coupler.

When the multi-strip coupler is not used, the first transducer 601 comprises the weighted type electrode and the second transducer 602 comprises the unweighted electrode. The same may apply to a case in which the first and second transducers are formed so as to satisfy the formulas (53) and (56), respectively.

Although the first transducer of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 comprises a double electrode, the first transducer may comprise a solid electrode.

FIG. 14 shows a structure of a solid electrode in which a formal shaped electrode 701 comprises a pair of comb-shaped electrodes 711 crossing each other. This comb-shaped electrode 711 is formed so that one end of a plurality of electrode fingers 712 is electrically coupled by a bus bar 713.

The width s₁ of the electrode fingers 712 may not always be the same size as the space (gap) s₂ between the electrode fingers 712. Furthermore, the unweighted electrode 701 has an electrode pitch P₉ with a space of 1/2 wavelength λ of the SAW filter corresponding to the center frequency f₀. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surface acoustic wave filter having a frequency passband width Δf₀ in a vicinity of a center frequency f₀, the filter comprising:a piezoelectric substrate; a first transducer including a pair of mutually opposed comb-shaped electrodes formed in a surface of the substrate, each of the first transducer electrodes having a plurality of substantially parallel electrode fingers, the first transducer having a frequency passband width of Δf₁ in a vicinity of a frequency f₁, the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the first transducer electrodes corresponding to the frequency f₁ ; a second transducer including a pair of mutually opposed comb-shaped electrodes formed in the surface of the substrate, each of the second transducer electrodes having a plurality of substantially parallel electrode fingers, the second transducer having a frequency passband width of Δf₂ in a vicinity of a frequency f₂, the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the second transducer electrodes corresponding to the frequency f₂ the frequencies f₁ and f₂ and the frequency passband widths Δf₁ and Δf₂ of the first and the second transducers being related by the expression

    |f.sub.1 -f.sub.2 |≧1/8(Δf.sub.1 +Δf.sub.2)

and f₀, f₁ and f₂ being nonequal and nonzero.
 2. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 1, wherein:the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the first transducer is substantially equal to 1/4 wavelength of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₁ ; and the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the second transducer is substantially equal to 1/4 wavelength of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₂.
 3. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the frequency f₁ of the first transducer and the frequency f₂ of the second transducer approximately corresponds to the frequency f₀ of the filter.
 4. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 3, wherein the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the transducer approximately corresponding to the frequency f₀ is substantially equal to 1/4 wavelength of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₀.
 5. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 3, wherein the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the transducer approximately corresponding to the frequency f₀ is substantially equal to 1/2 wavelength of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₀.
 6. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 1, wherein the electrode fingers of at least one of the first and the second transducers have nonuniform length.
 7. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 1, wherein:each of the first transducer electrodes includes a bus bar coupled to the electrode fingers of that electrode, each of the bus bars being substantially parallel to and spaced from the bus bar of the other first transducer electrode; and the electrode fingers of the first transducer have nonunifiorm length, each of the electrode fingers being substantially perpendicular to and positioned between the bus bars and being substantially colinear with a corresponding one of the electrode fingers of the other first transducer electrode.
 8. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 7, wherein the sum of the lengths of a finger electrode of one of the first transducer electrodes and the corresponding one of the finger electrodes of the other first transducer electrode is substantially equal to a constant for all of the electrode fingers of the one of the first transducer electrodes.
 9. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 1, wherein:each of the second transducer electrodes includes a bus bar coupled to the electrode fingers of that electrode, each of the bus bars being substantially parallel to and spaced from the bus bar of the other second transducer electrode; and the electrode fingers of the second transducer have nonuniform length, each of the electrode fingers being substantially perpendicular to and positioned between the bus bars and being substantially colinear with a corresponding one of the electrode fingers of the other second transducer electrode.
 10. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 9, wherein the sum of the lengths of each of a finger electrode of one of the second transducer electrodes and the corresponding one of the finger electrodes of the other second transducer electrode is substantially equal to a constant for all of the electrode fingers of the one of the second transducer electrodes.
 11. A surface acoustic wave filter having a frequency passband width Δf₀ in a vicinity of a center frequency f₀, the filter comprising:a piezoelectric substrate; a first transducer including a pair of mutually opposed comb-shaped electrodes formed in a surface of the substrate, each of the first transducer electrodes having a plurality of substantially parallel electrode fingers, the first transducer having the frequency passband width of Δf₀ ; a second transducer including a pair of mutually opposed comb-shaped electrodes formed in the surface of the substrate, each of the second transducer electrodes having a plurality of substantially parallel electrode fingers, the second transducer having a frequency passband width of Δf₁ in the vicinity of a center frequency f₁ ; the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the second transducer corresponding to a frequency f_(x) and the center frequency f₀, the center frequency f₁, and the frequency f_(x) satisfying at least one of the expressions

    4f.sub.x -f.sub.1 ≧3f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /2+Δf.sub.1 /2

    and

    4f.sub.x -f.sub.1 ≦3f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /2-Δf.sub.1 /2

f₀ and f₁ being nonequal and nonzero.
 12. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 11, wherein the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the second transducer is substantially equal to 1/4 wavelength of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f_(x).
 13. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 12, wherein the frequency f_(x) approximately corresponds to the frequency f₁ and the second transducer comprises an unweighted electrode with a constant cross width.
 14. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 11, wherein the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the second transducer is substantially equal to 1/2 wavelength of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₁.
 15. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 13 or 9, wherein the spacing between adjacent ones of the electrode fingers of the first transducer is substantially equal to 1/4 wavelength of a surface acoustic wave corresponding to the frequency f₀.
 16. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 11, wherein the electrode fingers of at least one of the first and the second transducers have nonuniform length.
 17. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 11, wherein:each of the first transducer electrodes includes a bus bar coupled to the electrode fingers of that electrode, each of the bus bars being substantially parallel to and spaced from the bus bar of the other first transducer electrode; and the electrode fingers of the first transducer have nonuniform length, each of the electrode fingers being substantially perpendicular to and positioned between the bus bars and being substantially colinear with a corresponding one of the electrode fingers of the other first transducer electrode.
 18. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 17, wherein the sum of the lengths of a finger electrode of one of the first transducer electrodes and the corresponding one of the finger electrodes of the other first transducer electrode is substantially equal to a constant for all of the electrode fingers of the one of the first transducer electrodes.
 19. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 11, wherein:each of the second transducer electrodes includes a bus bar coupled to the electrode fingers of that electrode, each of the bus bars being substantially parallel to and spaced from the bus bar of the other second transducer electrode; and the electrode fingers of the second transducer have nonuniform length, each of the electrode fingers being substantially perpendicular to and positioned between the bus bars and being substantially colinear with a corresponding one of the electrode fingers of the other second transducer electrode.
 20. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 19, wherein the sum of the lengths of a finger electrode of one of the second transducer electrodes and the corresponding one of the finger electrodes of the other second transducer electrode is substantially equal to a constant for all of the electrode fingers of the one of the second transducer electrodes.
 21. A surface acoustic wave filter having a frequency passband width Δf₀ in a vicinity of a center frequency f₀, the filter, comprising:a piezoelectric substrate; a first transducer including a pair of mutually opposed comb-shaped electrodes formed in a surface of the substrate, each of the first transducer electrodes having a plurality of substantially parallel electrode fingers, the first transducer having the frequency passband width of Δf₀ ; a second transducer including a pair of mutually opposed comb-shaped electrodes formed in the surface of the substrate, each of the second transducer electrodes having a plurality of substantially parallel electrode fingers, the second transducer having a frequency passband width of Δf₁ in a vicinity of a center frequency f₁, at least one of the expressions

    f.sub.1 ≦f.sub.0 -Δf.sub.0 /6-Δf.sub.1 /6

    and

    f.sub.1 ≧f.sub.0 +Δf.sub.0 /6+Δf.sub.1 /6

being satisfied and f₀ and f₁ being nonequal and nonzero.
 22. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 21, wherein the electrode fingers of at least one of the first and the second transducers have nonuniform length.
 23. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 21, wherein:each of the first transducer electrodes includes a bus bar coupled to the electrode fingers of that electrode, each of the bus bars being substantially parallel to and spaced from the bus bar of the other first transducer electrode; and the electrode fingers of the first transducer have nonuniform length, each of the electrode fingers being substantially perpendicular to and positioned between the bus bars and being substantially colinear with a corresponding one of the electrode fingers of the other first transducer electrode.
 24. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 23, wherein the sum of the lengths of a finger electrode of one of the first transducer electrodes and the corresponding one of the finger electrodes of the other first transducer electrode are substantially equal to a constant for all of the electrode fingers of the one of the first transducer electrodes.
 25. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 21, wherein:each of the second transducer electrodes includes a bus bar coupled to the electrode fingers of that electrode, each of the bus bars being substantially parallel to and spaced from the bus bar of the other second transducer electrode; and the electrode fingers of the second transducer have nonuniform length, each of the electrode fingers being substantially perpendicular to and positioned between the bus bars and being substantially colinear with a corresponding one of the electrode fingers of the other second transducer electrode.
 26. The surface acoustic wave filter of claim 25, wherein the sum of the lengths of a finger electrode of one of the second transducer electrodes and the corresponding one of the finger electrodes of the other second transducer electrode is substantially constant for all of the finger electrodes of the one of the second transducer electrodes. 